Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 37,928, James Forbs, Conn

SERVICE
NUMBER
Com
Forbes James
S 37928
CONTENTS

8640 Connecticut
James Forbs
of New London in the state of Connecticut who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Sheppard of the Connecticut line, for the term of Six years
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence the 26 of March 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 of March 1819 and sent to Mr. Brainard Esq. New London for Connecticut
Arrears to 4th of March 1819 11 mths \frac{10}{31} 90.55 Semi-annual all'ce ending 4 Sept 1819 5 mths 48.
$138.58
{ Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818. }
Chelsea Landing
Continued
Sept 1819

March 10. 1845
July 21. 1845
Aug 19. 1846
Feb 19. 1846
to 10 G. Wade
Set to same
at 6 G. Shaw
Notification sent July 19 th 1824 to
William F. Brainerd New London Conn.
Attest my hand and seal July 21 1845

let to J. J. Shaw March 10>March 10. 1845. let to same July 21. '45 to W. G. Wade Nov 19. '46
Postulations clm h Feb 19 th 18 th 65 William D. Armstrong New London, Conn.

Connecticut
March 26 th /18
James Forbes } New London Private
From the Spring of 1877 to the end of the War
Lt. Col. M aj S er vice Col. W m Sheppard
Ad 2
Judge Arminard -

State of Connecticut ss.
New London 1
Be it known that at said New London in said State of Connecticut on this 26 th Day of March A.D. 1823. before me personally Barnard a Judge of the Superior Court of said State of Connecticut personally came one James Forbes of said New London affirmed James Forbes of said New London in said State of Connecticut and being duly and solemnly sworn according to the rites of said State on such solemn Oath declared and said that he served in the Army of the United States in the War of the Revolution on the Continent. The last assignment for the Prison and Swamp since following right that early in the Spring of the year 1777 - at Granville in the State of Massachusetts he enlisted as a private Soldier to serve during the War into a Company commanded by Captain Debbins Ball in the 4 th Regiment of the Massachusetts Line of the Continental Army commanded then by Colonel William Sheppard afterwards by Colonel Perkins - and accordingly served as a private Soldier in said Regiment and Line until the End of the War - at the close of which in June 1783 - near New Windsor in the State of New York he was discharged after having served as a private on the Continental establishment upwards of six years - and was a Subject when discharged and was discharged as such That he is and always has been a Proper and Citizen of the United States - That he is now in the 84 th year of his age and is entitled to a pension for services rendered to the United States during the War James O'Forbes
Sworn to before me the Deputy Clerk of Court
James O'Forbes Barnard a Judge of the Superior Court Of the State of Connecticut
Witness the Seal of said Court unto which the Day and Date herein
James O'Forbes said Court

I Jeremiah G. Brainard Judge etc as aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said James Forbes did serve in the revolutionary war as stated in the proceedings declared against the common enemy and I now transmit the proceedings & testimony taken & had before me to the Secretary for the department of War pursuant to the directions of the aftermentioned act of Congress - The foregoing declaration was made to me as the applicant declared in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service of the United States in the 'Revolutionary War'"
NEW LONDON v. Witness the seal aforesaid March 28 th 1818) Jeremiah G. Brainard a Judge of Superior Court State of Connecticut
- copy -
I Jeremiah G. Brainard Judge as aforesaid do certify that James Forbes the within claimant is a descendant of James Forbes - that he is a very poor man - Jeremiah G. Brainard Judge as New London July 1. 1818 -

James Fisher
8640
Left
1879
Bras

State and District of Connecticut, ss.
ON this 26th day of June 1820 personally appeared in open Court, before the County Court holden within and for the County of New London in said State, on the 26th day of June 1820, the same being a court of record, proceeding according to the course of common law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, keeping a record of its proceedings, and having power of fine and imprisonment, James Forbes aged sixty three years, resident in the town of Waterford in said County in said State, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the revolutionary war as follows: That he the said enlisted for the term of the war on or about the spring of the year 1776 in Granville in the State of Massachusetts in the company commanded by Captain Lebbeus Ball in the regiment commanded by Colonel William Sheppard in the line of the State of Massachusetts on the continental establishment: That he continued to serve in the said
camp until served six years & six months when he was discharged from the said service in June 1783. in New York - honourably. That Col. Sheppard afterwar d carried his discharge to the Secy of government to obtain a land warrant as it was want in the war office as the said Forbes is told. That he made a declaration to obtain a pension under the law of the 18th of March 1818, as nearly as he can recollect, having no minutes, on the about March day of 1818; and had transmitted to him a certificate for a pension from the Secretary for the Department of War, No. 8640. -
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled, "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War;" and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed.
vir one hog of the value of $3.00 - 2 tables $4.00 That I am by occupation a 6 chairs 2.00 - 2 chests 3.00 - 2 table cloths & 2 towels 3.00 - 1/2 doz knives & forks 6 cups & saucers 12 plates 2.00 1 small looking glass 1.00 2 iron pots, bake pan, shovel, tongs, andirons, 8 pot hooks 1 hoe & axe 5.00 Milking in the whole $23.00
That he is by occupation, a day labourer That he is somewhat infirm, and though he yet labors cannot do a whole days work - That his family consists besides himself, only of his wife Mary, who is about sixty years old & infirm James Forbes

Signed Sworn to and declared on the 26 th before said County Court
day of June 1820
Charles Lathrop Clerk
I, Charles Lathrop Clerk of the County Court for New-London County, do hereby certify that the foregoing oath, and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is twenty  five dollars and _____ cents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this 26 th day of June 1820
Charles Lathrop
Clerk of the County Court for the County of New-London.
Sept
1879
On the 29 th day of Sept

State of New York County of Fulton - } G o : On this 22 d day of May 1835 personally appeared in open court before us, the Honorable the Judges thereof to wit: Aaron Haring, Joseph Blair, Nathan Drown.
Edmund Forbes —, a resident of the town of Broadalbin in the said County of Fulton and State of New York, aged 41 - years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, in open court, doth, on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832, that his father, James Forbes was a Pensioner of the United States at the rate of $96. per annum under the Act of 1818, and having been a Sergeant in the War of the Revolution was entitled to a pension at the rate of $120. per annum by virtue of the above cited Act of Congress of June 7 th 1832, and as the said James Forbes never applied for an increase of pension he therefore hereby makes this declaration, (as the only surviving child of the said James Forbes,) for the purpose of obtaining the additional amount of money which may be found due from the 4 th March 1831, to the 7 th day of May 1835, being the day of the death of the said James Forbes. He further declares that his father, the aforesaid James Forbes was a resident of Groton in the State of Connecticut, (or of New London,) at the time he received a pension, and died there at the time above stated. That for proof of the services of his father, the said James Forbes in the Army of the Revolution, and for the fact of his having been a Pensioner of the United States as above stated he would most respectfully refer the Commissioner of Pensions to the original claim of the said James Forbes now on file in the Pension Office at Washington, and for proof of the death of his widow, vide the accompanying testimony, also that for proof of his being the only surviving child of the

said James Forbes, see the annexed testimony or other that may hereafter be adduced. Sworn to and subscribed in { Edmund Forbes open court on the day and year first within written before me Stephen Wait Clerk of Tipton County }
I, Samuel Allen, do hereby certify that I am acquainted with Edmund Forbes above named, and that I have no knowledge of their being any other child of the above and within named James Forbes, nor have I ever known any others, and that it is generally believed that he is the only surviving child of the said James Forbes who was a pensioner of the United States in the State of Connecticut.
Subscribed and sworn to Samuel Allen in open court the 22 d day of May A.D. 1845 before me Stephen Wait Clerk of Tipton County

37928
Rey INVALID.
File No. 37928
James Harko His Rev. Rev.
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 2, Page 142
[Arrangement of 1870.]

March 10 1845
J. J. Sherwood

189
Pensions Office Mar. 10 th '45.
Sir.
In answer to the enquiry contained in your letter dated Feb y 20 th '45 respecting the case of James Forbes deceased I have to state that said Forbes appears to have served, as he states in his declaration, as a Sergeant of Artillery and to have been entitled to a pension at the rate of $120 per an under the Act of June 7 th '32. On production of the Court's certificate setting forth the day of the deceased claimant's death and the fact that he left a widow, with the names of the children who survived him, accompanied by a declaration stating the facts, made under oath before a Court of Record by one of the children in behalf of all, a certificate will be issued allowing a pension at the above rate from 4 th March 31 until the day of the claimant's death deducting the amt paid him under the Act of Mar 18 th 18 John I Shew. Broadalbin, Fulton Co. ny. 1847. Act Mar. 18 th 18

May 30. 1845. Munaliu May 28 be James Forbes, Jr. for aman
com Sep. 19. Hon. James L. Edwards
Cour. of Pensions Washington City D.C.

transcription May 2 nd
May 30. 1885.
to James Forbes, Esq. for answ
S.
com
Sep. 19.
Hon. James L. Edwards
Cour. of Pensions
Washington City
D. C.

Broadalbin, Fulton County, State of New York
May 23 rd 1845.
Sir, Please examine the enclosed claim of Edmund Forbes, for arrears of Pension due his father James Forbes, late of the State of Connecticut deceased, and return to me your most favorable decision thereon.
With sentiments of much respect for past favors &c. from your office -
John I. Shew
Hon. J. L. Edwards Comr. of Pensions -
N. B. At the request of Edmund Forbes I wrote to Elijah Bailey at Groton, to ascertain whether it could be proved there or not, the precise time of the death of his father. I received the letter attached to the enclosed declaration which I forward for your perusal. It states that "and left no heirs that I can hear of." I wrote to him that there was one son here, who affirmed to be the only surviving child. Bailey undoubtedly meant to be understood that there are not any heirs in that region of country.
I have not the least doubt but what he is son & only surviving child of the said James Forbes who was a pensioner in the State of Connecticut as he states in his declaration.
Notwithstanding I have transacted a large amount of Pension yet I believe that I have never heretofore presented a claim exactly similar to the above; therefore if the enclosed claim is not in exact form with common usages in similar cases, please direct what course to pursue. Respectfully &c. John I. Shew

March 1. 1845.
Per care of James Forbes.
Stone. J. L. Edwards
Cour. of Pensions
Washington D.C.

March 1. 1845.
Re car of James Forbes,
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Comm. of Pensions
Washington City D.C.

Broadalbin, Fulton Co. N.Y.
February 20 th 1845 -
Sir, It is reported that James Forbes was a Pensioner of the United States at the rate of $96.00 per annum under the Act of Congress of 1818, for services rendered in the war of the Revolution in the State of Connecticut; probably New London. It is also reported that he was a Sergeant some three years of the time he served in said war, and that he continued to live until some time after Congress passed the Pension act of June 7 th 1832. Of the precise time he died I have not been informed; but I believe that he died in the year 1836. He left no widow, his wife having died several years before. He left, (him surviving,) one son and one daughter, now residing only a few miles from me, and have requested me, (as a Pension agent,) to enquire whether their father was, or was not entitled to $120.00 pr. annum from the 4 th of March 1831 to the day he died: provided he had applied for it under the Act of 1832. And if so whether they, as the only surviving children are not now entitled to the balance, upon the production of the proper vouchers? By reference to his original declaration now on file in the Pension Office it will probably at once be ascertained whether he served as a Sergeant or not. An answer to the above request will be thankfully received.
Respectfully &c John J. Shaw
J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm. of Pensions.

40
Brouculin
10
July 14
July 17 45
Official, when public business
Hon. James L. [unclear]
James L. Edwards
Cour. of Pensions
Washington City

10
Manaculin
July 14
Official. upon public borrowing
July 17 45
James L. Edwards Hovey O'Neill
Cour. of Pensions Washington Cy.

Broadalbin, N.Y. July 11 th 1845.
Sir, On the 20 th February last, I wrote to you, stating that James Forbes of the State of Connecticut had been a Pensioner of the United States under the act of Congress of 1818 at the rate of $96. per annum, and that he had been a Sergeant in the war of the Revolution, and that by virtue of the act of 1832 he was entitled to $120.00 per annum, but that he had not applied, also that he died in 1835. &c. &c. The exact contents of said letter I do not remember. Suffice it to say that the following is an extract from the answer recd. by me.
Pension Office March 16 th 1845
"Sir,"
"In answer to the enquiry contained in your letter dated Febry - 20 th 1845, respecting the case of James Forbes deceased I have to state that the said Forbes appears to have served as he states in his declaration as a Sergeant of Artillery and to have been entitled to a Pension at the rate of $120. per annum under the Act of Jan 7 th 1832 &c. &c."
After receiving the above described letter I sent for the Edmund Forbes to call & see me. He came & I inquired of him the name of his brother or sister who might be yet alive. He said that I had mis understood him in a previous conversation that he was the only surviving child. I then concluded that there could be little or no doubt about the validity of the claim to pension it, supposing it to be utterly impossible to raise any kind of objection, not at all doubting but what the death of the precise time of the death of the said James Forbes had been proven for the purpose of drawing the arrears due at the time of his death; and I yet suppose all that was done. He also left a widow and the letter attached to the declaration of Edmund Forbes now on file in your office goes to prove that fact. Strange to relate, read the following viz:
Pension Office July 3 rd 1845.
"Sir,"
In the case of James Forbes deceased whose heirs are

"applying for an increase of the Pension allowed him for service" "as a Sergeant, I have to inform you that the rolls in this" "office afford no evidence of his services as such." &c. &c. The letters appear in different hand writing. The clerk who drew up the last letter, evidently overlooked what the first had seen. I presume that it will only require a moment or two to re-examine and the claim will without doubt be allowed.
It is not possible that the clerk, who drew up the letter of 10 th March last, can be mistaken, but the one who drew up the letter of the 2 nd instant might easily be mistaken. If you did not keep a copy of those letters to which I allude you can have the original by applying to me for them.
Respectfully &c.
John J. Shew
Hon. J. L. Edwards, Comr. of Pensions.
N.B. Please be so good as to relieve my mind as soon as possible (i.e.) as soon as the rules of the Office will permit.

Nov 9. 1846
Recd James Foster
10
Rev N.B. Nov 4 th
J. L. Edwards Com y of Pennsylvania Washington D.C.

Nov 9, 1846 Recd John H. Foster, Nov 13 Nov 14
10
J. L. Adams Com te of Pennsylvania Washington D. C.

Rose. New York. November 4th 1846.
Sir,
I very humbly request the favor of being informed, if the proof filed in your office, is sufficient to entitle James Hobbs, late of Connecticut, to the pension of a Sergeant, in which capacity it is asserted the service was performed, - he was pensioned at the rate of $36 per annum, from Connecticut.
I am, Respectfully Your Obedt Servt. W G. Wade
Hon Th Edwards Comr of Pensions W Washington D.C.

Scottdale N.H.
October 1846.
Sir,
This is to certify that W G Wade of Rose N.H. is duly authorized to investigate the claim of my father James Hughes late of New London Co C.T. - he was pensioned at $86 per annum. It is asserted that under act of 7th June 1832, he was entitled to the pension of a Sergeant,
Yours Respectfully Your Obed Servt
Hon S L Edwards Washington D.C.
Edmund Forbes

Grafton 10 th April 1845
Dear Sir in reply to your letter enquiring respecting James Forbes I have to reply that after diligent search and enquiry I have been able to ascertain that Forbes died May 7 th 1835 I obtained the information from his Overseer that he was under at the time of his death he left a Widow she is now dead and left one Heirs that I can hear of I have been to two dollars expense to obtain the above information by forwarding that sum any information you may require will be forwarded Yrs
Most Respectfully Yours &c
John J Shaw Esq.                      Elizan Bailey V. M.
Broadalbin Fulton County New York